He stands seven feet and four inches. But that?s not the only reason people look up to Pradeep Srivastava, managing director of Tayo Rolls Limited. His child like, simple personality, his ever ready nature to explore the new, the special bond he builds up with those he comes in touch with, all make him special, apart from just his height and professional success.

Qualities which he shares with his wife, Nalini, a professor of Physics at the Graduate School and College for Women. About to celebrate their 28th anniversary, theirs is a relationship that has clicked and grown stronger over the years because of their mutual admiration and respect for each others work and a trust that despite their busy schedules, they have been and always will be there for each other. Though handling it was not always easy for Nalini. When the children were growing up, Pradeep was travelling around the world, and she was alone to handle situations parents of growing children have to handle. She knew he was always there and without regret says ?Whatever time he spent with us, it may not have been much in terms of quantity, but certainly a lot when it comes to quality.? The children never missed his support. ?Our children always sought his help whenever they had to take important decisions and even if he was travelling, he would make sure that he was available at the right time,? she adds.

A support that helped the children grow to do their parents proud. The elder child Gitika has launched a new company in the United States, while Prashant, the younger one, is pursuing his final year of engineering in Bangalore.

While Gitika got full support from her parents post 9/11, Prashant was not encouraged by Nalini to go abroad. ?I wanted at least one child to be here, he can always go out later,? Nalini said.

The children are missed, but there?s that understanding that it?s for their own good. Instead of wallowing in emptiness, they have kept themselves occupied in projects and pursuits that have brought them much satisfaction.

Involved with many social organisations, Nalini says, ?It was important for me to actively pursue something to keep myself occupied in the leisure hours.? As the president of Jagriti, a city based welfare organisation, Nalini feels satisfied that it gives her an opportunity to reach out to those in need.

They do want to spend more time with each other, but realise that responsibilities cannot be shied away from. ?At times I do wish that I could spend a little more time together with my family, but one cannot shy away from official responsibilities,? Pradeep said.

What does make it easier is they share their passion for travelling, which has helped them explore new cultures and traditions, all of which has helped them grow and even understand each other better.

Food is another passion they share, but Indian cuisine is what they both prefer. With a smile Pradeep says about his experience on a recent trip to China, ?They offered me all sorts of preparations, starting from toads to snakes but I somehow could not get myself to taste the stuff.?

Weekends they laze around, listening to old melodies. Pradeep prefers western, while Nalini likes Hindi songs. Though television is not very popular in their home, Pradeep loves watching Cartoon Network. And Tom and Jerry is never given a miss by this successful man of business. That?s quite a revelation!

Nalini admits that she could not have asked for a better life partner. While Pradeep adds that it?s because of her he could devote himself to work wholeheartedly, secure in the knowledge that his children and his world were in strong, confident and loving hands.

Saswati Mukherjee